But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. There is no law against things like this.

Galatians 5:22-23

Yesterday, as if this world was not already topsy-turvy enough, our grandson David turned 15. I am not sure that I even have all that much to say about it other than “tighten your seatbelts” because somebody born in 2011 is about to get their driver’s permit!

In 2011 Rebekah and I still lived in Florida, and the birth of our first grandchild was such a beautiful moment of hope and promise it was like a shaft of pure light breaking into time and space.

It was a Sunday morning and we were responding to the tragic loss of a dear friend. But then it was as if God said, “Wait a minute, I am not only going to redeem this day, I am doing something new that will bring joy and promise and such healing that the world will finally understand these words I gave through Paul in his letter to the Galatians: ‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against things like this.‘”

And there he was, David Henry Campbell. And here he is, fifteen years old. Wow.

So, what makes us ourselves?

There is this ongoing conversation/debate about “nature versus nurture” when it comes to who we are as people. Our personalities, our character, our behavior and what we do with our lives. It is talked about in psychology and in neuroscience and sociology and philosophy and more. We are fascinated by ideas like determinism and freedom and agency and inevitability and free-will etcetera.

For me I believe there are several factors at play, and the most important of these is barely discussed. First, we are born with a toolbox of possibilities, the raw materials of being. Then we are raised in a family of people who are making their own way in this world, and in an environment that involves everything from the struggle to make ends meet, to the struggle to live lives of purpose and meaning, to the struggle to make relationships work. Then there is volition, the factor that led to the subtitle of my memoir, Grace Upon Grace: One Million Decisions.

It is these One Million Decisions – and more – that are, I believe, so critical. We are making them all the time. especially as we grow and as we sift through everything that presses in on us. You have amazing talents and gifts, David, you have a family that loves you, you have a beautiful mind overflowing with ideas and imagination, and you are a child of God who is loved and accepted in every way.

But the key point here – and the one I believe is too often neglected – is that we are not alone. And the simplest way to embrace this truth is to quite literally onboard and reactivate your interface with God at the beginning of every new day.

Because sometimes you may feel that you are too young or not strong enough to make the right choices, or to step up every time you are asked, or to help someone else with their trouble or pain. So listen to Jesus, who said:

“Come to me all of you who are tired from the heavy burden you have been forced to carry. I will give you rest. Accept my teaching. Learn from me. I am gentle and humble in spirit. And you will be able to get some rest. Yes, the teaching that I ask you to accept is easy. The load I give you to carry is light.” – Matthew 11:27-30

Like Jesus, David, you have a gentle spirit. You have brought love and healing and kindness into this world since the day you were born.

We are so grateful that you are in this world and we pray that this year will be full with fun and joy and meaning and laughter and most of all peace. Peace both in your life and because of your life.

We love you. Your Grandaddy Derek